Meet Joe Freeman: Author, Youth Motivator, Business Owner and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Freeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, what inspires you?
Everything and everywhere! I know it sounds like a cliché but I will just start with what my early inspiration looked like, in my house. Imagine, being at your grandmother’s house and seeing every wall in the house covered with black and white pictures of men, women, and children, of various ages, some looking very familiar others you can’t place their faces at all. Then you are lucky enough to have a great-grandmother and grandmother that took very little joy in sharing their childhood memories with other, especially a hyper active kid like myself . So like most small children with huge dreams and very little access, you created your own stories about the world. I would lay on my back for hours, as a kid, watching airplanes fly above my house time and time again, imagining where they were going or where they had been. This is when I started writing things in my journal, with little to no intent, of sharing my writings with anyone. I would create stories in my mind about the passengers on the planes, and their lives, some simple and others very complex or I would imagine the lives of all my relatives on the wall, each with its own unique adventure and lesson to learn. Fast forward to today and me having almost 2 decades of teaching experience in Atlanta Public Schools. During my tenure, I have come across some of the most amazing young people you would ever want to meet and in doing so I used their energy and inquisitive nature, paired with my vivid imagination. I would turn their very little experience of life, into some of my best characters.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
” I turned ADD, Low Esteem, and self-doubt into a tool to reach thousands of kids around the World.” Joe N. Freeman Jr. is a proud member of Xi Chi Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. by way of Zeta Chapter. He is also Black Enterprise Modern Man of 2018 (https://www.blackenterprise.com/modern-man-author-joe-freeman/), teacher of the year 2017-18 for Atlanta Public Schools, one of the most engaging and authentic people you will ever meet, on the subject of youth empowerment. Joe Freeman is the children’s book author of “The Adventures of BG: “The Importance of Positive Self-Esteem, Friendship at its Best and Lucky Enough to see the World Differently.” The Adventures of BG “The Importance of Self-Esteem” follows BG a young and awkward nine year old African American Boy who knows little about this new town his parents have just relocated to, right outside of the Everglades. Will BG ever makes friends in this new and tropical town? The Adventures of BG “Friendship at its Best” follows BG and Big L as they both struggle to make sense of their quickly changing world. The children embark on a journey of healing and acceptance as they come to realize that one of their friends will forever be changed. Children may struggle with the uncertainty and inevitable change that occurs when a chronic illness affects someone they know, whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a beloved teacher. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and social workers will find this book a frank but gentle tool for teaching inquiring minds and comforting tender hearts. His new book, released September 5, 2020 “Lucky Enough to see the World Differently” follows a young man by the name of Truesdale, who in the eyes of others was different and outcast. Truesdale’s exceptional intellect and ability to pay attention to detail, allows him to teach BG and his friends to never judge a book by its cover and to treat everyone equally. The desire to write “The Adventures of BG Series” came from Joe’s own experiences as a young father, husband and as a teacher. Being a dedicated and determine teacher in Atlanta Public Schools for over a decade, left him wanting to do more for our youth. It was at that point that Joe co-founded FNF Dynamics’ L.L.C., and The Adventures of BG Scholarship. These programs were designed to challenge, inspire, and motivate children of various ages, while strongly advocating the need to understand and advance the maturity of students through the development of age-appropriate curricula. This passion to motivate and empower youth stems from his own reflection and the impact he had on students of all ages. As a teacher at a high performing school, he often looked around at the trappings that came with the big name and wondered why he always felt like he could be doing more. After much reflection, he set off on a new path as an advocate for all youth. Joe is fully engaged in his quest to getting his message out about the power of positive self-esteem and youth empowerment, at work and social settings. You can find his websites at Theadventuresofbg.com & fnfdynamics.com.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am not the kind of guy that’s always out and about but whenever I have friends and family visit, there are a couple of places we have to hit. My friends and family prefer outdoor shopping so Visit Westside Provisions District, Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, Shops Around Lenox and Atlantic Station of course. And being that my family has to eat and we are in the south we have to visit Paschal’s – What started as a 30-seat restaurant in 1947 has expanded to an upscale Southern restaurant or South City Kitchen – This is a favorite spot to take out-of-town guests looking for a taste of the South in a fun setting. All your Southern favorites are here, items like shrimp and grits and fried chicken. Choices such as catfish Reuben and Nashville fried chicken sandwiches are always a good choice. But if friends and family are looking to unwind with great food local beer and great food, my choice is always Carroll’s Street Café in Cabbage-town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Gratitude is meaningless unless it is shared. I would like to start by thanking my Grandmother (Barbara Freeman) for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. My parents (Joe & Iletha Freeman) for letting me know early that we all have a story inside of us, although most of us just don’t write it down. My childhood friends (Manuel, Bruce, Leon, Robby and Ronnie) for the adventures that turned into great stories. My college friends and fraternity brothers that supported me not knowing what I could possibly have interesting to say in a book. Then their are all of the amazing students, parents, and coworkers that were always excited to hear about my next character or new adventure in my books. Last but not least, I want thank my extremely supportive family! My oldest son (Jay) for giving me the idea and then pushing me to seek my first publishing deal. My only daughter (Maitae) who’s always excited to share how my imagination would get the best of me if she wasn’t around to guide me. My youngest son (Jace) who feels that no matter how great the story sounds, I could have done better. Then there’s my wife Shawntae whom I am the most appreciative of because she knows my mind goes a million miles an hour, sometimes in darkness but she provides light that gives me direction and focus. I wish I knew stronger words to express my gratitude for each of you but just know, I am extremely thankful.

Website: Theadventuresofbg.com
Instagram: Adventuresofbgbooks
Linkedin: Joe Freeman
Twitter: @jofreeman
Facebook: www.facebook.com/joe.freeman.9028

Image Credits
Wanda Reid